Far Eastern cat. Far Eastern cat: wild Amur handsome
The Amur forest cat is the closest relative of the more famous Bengal cat, which lives a little further south. Very little is known about these inhabitants of the taiga. Amur cats are listed in the Red Book as an endangered species. Scientists cannot say how true this is. In fact, the animal was included in the red list only because there is no accurate data on its number.
The Amur cat is widespread in Far East. it can be found in the Amur River basin, as well as on the coast of the Sea of Japan. These animals are legal residents of Lazovsky, Bolshekhehtsirsky, Khankaysky and Ussuri Nature Reserves, and biosphere reserve Cedar Pad. It is known that some “travelers” even went to Transbaikal region. According to preliminary estimates by specialists, there are only about 2000 individuals of these cats, and maybe less; no one really bothered counting them.
Video about wild Amur cats:
What does an Amur forest cat look like?
Amur forest cat - animal small size, its weight ranges from 4-8 kg. Body length is 60-90 cm, of which about 40 cm is the tail. Cats are noticeable larger than cats. You can see what an Amur cat looks like in the photo.
The head of Amur cats is rounded, the forehead is high. The ears are set very wide, small, rounded, directed forward and slightly to the sides. The eyes are large, expressive, set slightly askew and located close to each other. The nose is wide, straight with a large expressive lobe Brown. Small rounded whisker pads are well defined, complemented by a strong chin.
In 2004, the Amur cat was depicted on a silver coin from the “Red Book of Russia” series worth 1 ruble.
Amur cats are strong, well-built animals on high legs with well-developed muscles and thick fur. The color is grayish-yellow on the lower part of the body and grayish-brown on the upper part. Round dark red spots are scattered across the body, and the head and muzzle are decorated with dark, clear stripes.
Lifestyle and habits
Very little is known about the life and habits of Amur cats, apparently because they were always in the shade, in the shade of trees and Amur tigers.
There is information that Amur cats are monogamous, that is, they choose a mate for their entire lives. This is not at all typical for cats and raises doubts. It is reliably known that the cat helps the cat raise offspring. Amur cats reach sexual maturity very early. Already at the age of 1 year they are ready to give birth. They mate, as cats should, in March. pregnancy lasts 60-70 days. Amur cats rarely have more than four kittens in a litter. Life expectancy is 16-17 years.
Cats hunt more often at dusk. The menu mainly consists of small animals, rodents and birds. In general, Amur cats hunt anything that is smaller than themselves. Sometimes they don’t mind eating reptiles, insects, and in rare cases, fish. If you're lucky and the Amur cat stumbles upon the remains of a tiger or leopard's feast, then you won't have to hunt. Cupids are excellent climbers of trees, hiding on the tops from natural enemies.
It is difficult to say how aggressive these cats are; when they meet people, they try to move away and do not come close to the anthropogenic zone. Although, hunger is not a problem. In 2010, Far Eastern cats, due to a protracted cold winter began to organize regular raids on chicken coops in the Primorsky Territory. As soon as the snow began to melt, the cats were no longer there.
Amur cats really do not like loose snow. During snowfalls, they may not leave their shelter for weeks until crust forms. They live in burrows abandoned by other animals, in warm time years they make their nests in reeds and tree roots. Usually a cat has several temporary shelters on the property and only in winter one, the most comfortable and safe one.
Study of the Amur cat by felinologists from WCS (video):
Amur forest cats are the smallest among Asian cats, they are only slightly larger domestic cat. The size of the body including the tail is about 90 centimeters, while the tail is long - approximately 40 centimeters. Females weigh 2.5-3 kilograms, and males are larger - 3-4 kilograms.
The Amur forest cat lives in Russia: Khabarovsk and Primorsky Krai. They also live in China, Japan, Nepal, Burma, the Korean Peninsula, Sumatra, Pakistan, Bali, Java and Bloneo. More Amurskys forest cats called Amur cats, Far Eastern forest cats and Tsushima leopard cats.
Description of the Amur forest cat
The body is elongated, muscular and strong. The head is small, elongated, the whiskers are long. There is a wide bare stripe on the nose. The upper canines are thick and long. Paws middle length, they end in small claws. Ears round shape, there are no tassels at their tips. The thin tail is covered with fluffy dense fur.
The coat is short, thick and lush. Winter fur is lighter and thicker than summer fur. The guard hairs reach 4.9 centimeters in length. Fur color ranges from gray-yellow to reddish-brown or dirty brown. Bottom part the body and sides are lighter than the back. The body has oval spots of a dark red color with a black or blurry edging.
Three brown-black stripes run along the back, which are formed from elongated narrow spots. Sometimes these stripes can merge into one wide strip. There are 4 or 5 transverse reddish-brown stripes on the throat. There are transverse stripes on the front legs. There are also spots on the belly, but they are lighter. The tail is usually a solid dark gray or reddish, with a dark gray or black tip.
On each side of the head, 2 whitish stripes run across the forehead from the eyes, and between them there is a reddish-brown stripe that runs from the nose to the neck. The nose is grey-red, the throat and chest are dirty white, the chin is white. The outside of the ears is white with a dark border, and the tips are reddish-white. Juveniles have more spots than adults.
Habitat of Amur cats
Amur forest cats live on the slopes of low mountains, in river and lake valleys, wilderness areas, in meadows with tall grass, forest edges and in reed beds. They rise to the mountains no higher than 500-600 meters.
These predators can often be found near human habitation. Areas where intensive economic activity, Amur forest cats avoid.
Lifestyle of Far Eastern forest cats
These animals can live alone or in pairs, but during the breeding season several individuals gather together. Each cat has its own individual area of 5-9 square km. These predators lead a nocturnal and twilight lifestyle. Amur forest cats are shy and mistrustful, making them difficult to detect. They attack prey from an ambush, which they set up on the ground or in trees.
In winter, Amur cats migrate from the mountains to valleys and hilltops, from which snow is blown away by the wind. During severe frosts, they can approach people's homes, where they catch rodents in old buildings.
If a Far Eastern cat is in danger, it takes refuge in a tree. They make shelters in hollows, rock crevices or among dense bushes; they also happily use abandoned holes of badgers and foxes. The bottom of the den is insulated with wood dust, leaves and grass.
Amur forest cats can excellently climb trees and rocks and swim well. The predator has several temporary shelters on the site. IN winter time The safest permanent home is used.
Far Eastern forest cats feed on mouse-like rodents, chipmunks, squirrels, Manchurian hares, birds and their eggs. Sometimes they can attack larger prey, for example, young deer and roe deer.
The lifespan of Amur forest cats in nature is 8-10 years, and in captivity they can live up to 15 years.
Reproduction of Tsushima leopard cats
The breeding season for Amur cats in the northern parts of their range is February-March, and their kittens are born in May. IN southern parts range, Far Eastern forest cats can breed throughout the year. During mating time, they make rather loud and abrupt calls. A pair is formed during a cat's heat. The male takes an active part in raising the babies.
Pregnancy lasts 65-72 days. There are 1-2 kittens in a litter, with a maximum of 4 babies. They are helpless and blind, weighing no more than 80 grams. Kittens' eyes open after 10 days. The female takes care of the kittens, and if they are in danger, she moves them to a new shelter. At the age of 50 days, young cats emerge from the den and explore the nearest territory. At 4 months, females already weigh 2.4 kilograms, and males - 3.2 kilograms. At 6 months, kittens become independent and leave their mother, looking for their own hunting area. According to one source puberty in Amur forest cats it occurs at 8-10 months, but according to other sources, they mature no earlier than 18 months.
The benefits and harms of Amur forest cats for humans
Tsushima's leopard cats are not commercially hunted. But some hunters shoot them. Sometimes these predators steal poultry. Amur cats are not tamed.
Population of Far Eastern forest cats
Amur forest cats are in the Red Book of Russia. They are protected by the CITES Convention (Annex II). IN Lately the population began to grow.
The main threat to the species is loss of habitat: plowing, deforestation, fires. Hunting also affects the number of Amur cats, weather and hybridization with domestic cats.
The Amur forest cat is a rare subspecies, listed in the Red Book of the Primorsky Territory.The highest density of Far Eastern steppe cats is observed in the Khasansky and Khankaysky districts of the Primorsky Territory, it is 3-4 individuals per 10 square kilometers. The approximate number of Amur forest cats in the Primorsky Territory is 2-2.5 thousand individuals.
The number of Tsushima leopard cat on the island is extremely low, it does not exceed 80-110 individuals. There are 32 cats in Japanese zoos. In Japan, these predators are protected by the state.
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Titles: Amur forest cat, Far Eastern forest cat, Amur cat, Tsushima leopard cat.
Area: Russia (Primorsky and Khabarovsk region- river basin Amur, Ussuri and Bolshaya Biry, coast Sea of Japan), China, Korean Peninsula, Burma, Japan (Tsushima Island), Nepal, India (Assam), Pakistan, Sumatra, o. Java and Bali, Borneo.
Description: The Far Eastern cat is the smallest of the Asian cats, but somewhat larger. The body is elongated, dense and muscular. The head is small, the skull is significantly elongated (compared to a wild European cat), and the whiskers are long.
The condylobasal length of the skull is 9.3-10.2 cm, the zygomatic width is 6.3-7.4 cm. The orbits are smaller than those of Felis silvestris. The eyes are deep-set, round in shape.
The bony palate is long, the presphenoid bone is very narrow. The upper canines are long and thick.
There is a wide hairless stripe on the nose. Limbs of medium length with small claws.
The ears are rounded, slightly oblong, without tufts at the ends.
The tail is long, thin, equal to half the length of the body, covered with dense and fluffy fur.
The hairline is thick, short, and lush. Winter fur is thicker and lighter than summer fur. The length of the guard hairs on the back reaches 4.9 cm.
Footprints Amur cat very similar to the tracks of the domestic one, only larger.
The specific pressure on snow for males is 115 g/cm2, for females - 87 g/cm2.
Coloring: hair from grayish-yellow to dirty brown or reddish-brown.
The sides and bottom of the body are lighter than the back. Oval dark red spots with a clear or vague outline are scattered throughout the body. Three black-brown stripes, formed by narrow elongated spots, stretch along the back. Sometimes these stripes merge into one wide one. There are 4-5 transverse rusty-brown stripes on the throat. Forepaws with transverse stripes.
The spots on the belly are paler. The tail is most often plain (reddish or dark gray) with transverse black-gray rings (up to 7 incomplete rings), the tip is black or dark gray.
On the head (on each side) from the eyes through the forehead there are two whitish stripes, between which there is a reddish-brown stripe running from the nose to the neck.
The nose is greyish-red. The chin is white, the throat and chest are dirty white with a yellowish tint. The outer side of the ears is white with a black-brown border along the edge, the tips are reddish-white.
The claws are yellowish. Young animals have more spots than adults.
Size: body with tail - up to 90 cm, tail about 40 cm.
Weight: males - 3-4 kg, females - 2.5-3 kg.
Lifespan: in nature 8-10 years, in captivity up to 15 years.
Habitat: dense thickets of bushes (hazel) and copses along river and lake valleys; slopes of low mountains (where snow cover in winter does not exceed 30-40 cm), overgrown mixed forest with rocky placers; deaf falls; reed thickets along the shores of lakes and oxbow lakes; deforestation and edges; meadows with tall grass. It rises into the mountains to 500-600 m.a.s.l.
The Amur forest cat is often found near human habitation.
Solid forest areas and lands with intensive agricultural activity are avoided.
Enemies: the main one is a person.
Food: the basis of the diet of the Far Eastern cat is (voles) and their eggs (,). Actively pursues Manchurian hares and hunts young roe deer and deer.
In the leopard cat's diet. In addition to rodents and birds, Tsushima also includes.
Behavior: the Far Eastern forest cat leads the crepuscular and night image life. Shy and very cautious, it is difficult to detect. Hunts from ambush (on the ground and trees), catching prey in one jump.
In winter, it migrates from the mountains to river and lake valleys, hilltops covered with dense bushes (where the snow is blown away by the wind and is well compacted).
IN very coldy can approach human habitation and hunt synanthropic rodents in old buildings. In times of danger, it escapes in the trees.
Shelters are made in the hollows of old trees and rock crevices hidden in dense bushes. Willingly uses abandoned fox and badger holes. The bottom of the den is lined with dry grass and leaves, and wood dust.
Excellent climber on rocks and trees, swims well.
The Amur forest cat has several temporary shelters on its site, which it periodically visits. In winter, it uses only one permanent and safest den.
Social structure: The Far Eastern forest cat lives in pairs or alone. Only during the breeding season do several cats gather together.
The individual territory of one individual occupies on average 5-9 km 2 and depends on the abundance of prey.
Reproduction: A pair is formed when a cat goes into heat. The cat takes an active part in raising its offspring.
Breeding season/period: in the northern parts of the range - from February to March, kittens are born in May; in the south - all year round.
Puberty: according to some data at 8-10 months, according to others only at 18 months.
Pregnancy: lasts 65-72 days.
Offspring: in a litter there are 1-2 (sometimes up to 4) blind and helpless kittens, weighing 75-80 g. Eyes open on the 10th day. The female actively protects the kittens and, in case of danger, takes them to another place. When the kittens are 45-50 days old, they begin to leave the den and explore the surrounding area. At 4-4.5 months, the weight of young cats reaches 3.2 kg, females up to 2.4 kg. At the age of 6 months (October-November), the kittens leave their mother in search of their hunting area.
Benefit/harm for humans: The Far Eastern cat is not commercially hunted. Obtained by chance. Not tamed. Sometimes he steals poultry.
Population/conservation status: the Far Eastern forest cat is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, CITES Convention (Appendix II). Population size in last years started to grow.
The main threats to the species: loss of habitat (fires, logging, plowing of virgin land with tall grass, hunting), weather factors, hybridization with domestic cats.
The maximum density of the Amur cat population of 3-4 individuals per 10 km 2 was observed in the Pogranichny, Khankaisky and Khasansky districts of the Primorsky Territory.
The approximate number in the Primorsky Territory is 2-2.5 thousand individuals.
Leopard cat of Tsushima (some researchers distinguish it as a subspecies - Felis bengalensis euptilura) lives on the island. Tsushima (Japan). The number is extremely low: in nature there are no more than 80-110 mature individuals. There are 32 cats living in zoos across the country. In Japan, this species is under state protection.
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The Far Eastern or Amur forest cat is an inhabitant of the same places as the famous Amur tigers And Far Eastern leopards. But this neighbor and " younger brother» Whiskered giants are much less studied and popular. What's to blame? Most likely, modest sizes (even the most large males weigh no more than seven kilograms) and have a discreet appearance. Although, like all cats, wild Far Eastern cats are completely irresistible!
Color and appearance of the Amur forest cat
Sometimes Far Eastern cats They are called leopards for their spotted color. The Chinese called them money cats because the spots on the cat's skin remind them of coins. And many ordinary cat lovers say that this wild cat looks like Vaska from neighboring yard. But not every Vaska has fur that is five centimeters long, and an Amur cat cannot live without such a fur coat.
Light and dark longitudinal stripes on the forehead of the Amur forest cat are its distinctive sign. According to the pattern of these stripes wild cats can be identified in the same way as people using fingerprints.
Amur forest cat: description of habits
The longest-legged among all small wild cats is the Amur forest cat, the photo demonstrates this perfectly. However, this did not help him “make friends” with deep snow. During heavy snowfalls, an animal can hide in a shelter for weeks, waiting for the crust to form.
But this cat climbs trees simply superbly. It is there that he usually hides when he sees a person. Although the main “menu” of the Amur cat includes mouse-like rodents and birds, sometimes small predators manage to kill even a young roe deer.
A skilled and successful hunter, the Far Eastern wild cat almost never shows aggression towards people. There is no information about attacks by such cats on humans. On the contrary, he leads a secretive and, moreover, twilight lifestyle, trying not to attract unnecessary attention to himself.
A tough predator with the appearance of a plush toy
They say that local hunters prefer not to encounter the Amur cat in the forest - in case of danger, it defends itself fiercely. And there is something to defend yourself with - just look at the teeth that grin shows!
However, in moments of peace this mustachioed muzzle looks very cute. Round eyes, a “snub-nosed” nose and small rounded ears - in some photos the Amur forest cat really looks like a plush toy, and not a stern predator.
The best place to admire these animals is in zoos, where they, however, also behave very warily. But Far Eastern cats reproduce well in captivity and show themselves very well caring parents, and both cats and male cats. Up to four spotted kittens are born in a litter, which become independent by the age of one and a half years.
By the way, the Amur forest cat went down in history - it is depicted on a silver coin of the “Red Book” series in denomination of 1 ruble, issued in 2004. I think he deserved it. We hope that thanks to the protection of the state and the attention of scientists, we will learn even more about it and see many new ones. beautiful photos a mustachioed Far Eastern miracle.
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Order - Carnivores / Suborder - Felidae / Family - Felidae / Subfamily - Small cats
History of the study
The Amur forest cat (lat. Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus or lat. Felis bengalensis euptilura) is a subspecies of the Bengal cat. Another name is “Amur leopard cat”.
Spreading
Distributed in the Far East, in the Amur River basin and along the coast of the Sea of Japan. Near Lake Khanka (lake), the cat was found throughout the entire habitable area. Lives in Bolshekhehtsirsky, Khankaysky, Ussuriysky, Kedrovaya Pad, Lazovsky nature reserves.
Appearance
Slightly larger than a domestic cat. Its body length is 75-90 cm, its tail is 35-37 cm, its weight is 4-6 kg. The main color of the coat on the upper side is light grayish-yellow or dull grayish-brown with scattered round dark red spots.
Reproduction
Mating occurs in March. Pregnancy lasts 65-70 days. In a litter there are 1-2 (sometimes up to 4) blind and helpless kittens, weighing 75-80 g each. Eyes open on the 10th day. The female actively protects the kittens and, in case of danger, takes them to another place. When the kittens are 45-50 days old, they begin to leave the den and explore the surrounding area. At 4-4.5 months, the weight of young cats reaches 3.2 kg, females up to 2.4 kg. At the age of 6 months (October-November), the kittens leave their mother in search of their hunting area.
Lifestyle
The habitat of the Far Eastern forest cat is dense thickets of bushes (hazel) and copses along river and lake valleys; slopes of low mountains (where snow cover in winter does not exceed 30-40 cm), overgrown with mixed forest with rocky placers; deaf falls; reed thickets along the shores of lakes and oxbow lakes; forest clearings and edges; meadows with tall grass. It rises into the mountains to 500-600 m.a.s.l. The Amur forest cat is often found near human habitation. Avoids continuous forest areas and lands with intensive agricultural activity.
The Far Eastern forest cat leads a crepuscular and nocturnal lifestyle. Shy and very cautious, it is difficult to detect. Hunts from ambush (on the ground and trees), catching prey in one jump. In winter, it migrates from the mountains to river and lake valleys, hilltops covered with dense bushes (where the snow is blown away by the wind and is well compacted). In severe frosts it can approach human habitation and hunt synanthropic rodents in old buildings. In times of danger, it escapes in the trees. Shelters are made in the hollows of old trees and rock crevices hidden in dense bushes. Willingly uses abandoned fox and badger holes. The bottom of the den is lined with dry grass and leaves, and wood dust. Excellent climber on rocks and trees, swims well. The Amur forest cat has several temporary shelters on its site, which it periodically visits. In winter, it uses only one permanent and safest den.
The Far Eastern forest cat lives in pairs or alone. Only during the breeding season do several cats gather together. The individual home range of one individual occupies on average 5-9 km2 and depends on the abundance of prey.
Nutrition
The basis of the diet of the Far Eastern cat is mouse-like rodents (voles) and birds and their eggs (hazel grouse, pheasants). Actively pursues squirrels, chipmunks and Manchurian hares, hunts young roe deer and deer.
Number
The Far Eastern forest cat is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, CITES Convention (Appendix II). The population has begun to grow in recent years. The main threats to the species: loss of habitat (fires, logging, plowing of virgin land with tall grass, hunting), weather factors, hybridization with domestic cats. The maximum density of the Amur cat population of 3-4 individuals per 10 km2 was observed in Pogranichny, Khankaisky and Khasansky districts of Primorsky Krai. The approximate number in the Primorsky Territory is 2-2.5 thousand individuals.
Far Eastern forest cat and man
The Far Eastern cat is not commercially hunted. Obtained by chance. Not tamed. Sometimes he steals poultry.
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